Pigeon Bulletin Board?

[cavemanrich]

I have been around peeps with pigeons for a long time. Never considered getting any myself. Then this thing happens.

About 10 years ago, I'm sitting and chillin in front of my open garage. Enjoying some cooling beverages when the above pigeon lands on top of roof. I got up and started looking at him. Next thing I know,,,,,,,, pigeon flies into the inside of garage. At that point I closed the large door and caught the pigeon. No struggle or resistance. Placed him into loft that I used for my chicken winter housing. Gave him food and water. He started eating right away. I could see that he was in a race and must have been detour frightened by a hawk. I had no way of finding who owner was by his band. Today, maybe I would be able to.??? The second thought that occurred since he was in a race,,,,,,,,, I know what the peeps from long before would do to losers. If you don't know? just ask and I can clarify. The club racers would of course wager within club some heavy duty ca$h. I figure he had better chances with me.
Let him have my serama chicken for company. I would bring him into the house so he would not feel like in darkness. (I did provide electric light during day inside loft. It was before I built the outside aviary.) I would also put him into a screened tent set up in the back yard, for the day. He was able to fly around somewhat. Had tree branches inside for natural type environment feel. I got him 2 extra white pigeons. Problem was, I ended up with 3 males. I kept the trio for 2 years prisoners hoping I could homeset them. Had the outside aviary set up so they did have a nice happy home.
Time came for the ultimate risk for me. Try and see if they will return to loft. Opened aviary and gave them FREEDOM. They flew out onto roof. Then they started testflight maneuvers from roof to roof. Then they flew up into considerable height and started circling. Each progressive circle was getting larger in size. Then I no longer could see them. I know that the were getting their bearings into focus.
That was the chance/risk I had to take since I was not going to keep them prisoners for life. They most likely returned to their original homes.
So that is how I started on my pigeon journey I never planned on.

Here is a pix of Gorbie.. I placed initially for companionship until I got the 2 pigeons. Gorbie BTW is in my Avatar. The got along great.!!!

 

[cavemanrich]

So as my journey continued, I got a flock of white homers. They were a good bloodline since they alway returned from tosses. Had a number of young ones, and then tragedy struck. The following is humorous, but you know what happened.

I was sad of course, but understand that these creatures only did it to satisfy their hunger. They have no way to go to get groceries, or stop in at McDonald's for dinner.
My next flock was beautiful, but a poor bloodline. Maybe they were mixed with non racing/homing type.??? They did not want to coop fly much. When they did, they would only go as far as the rooftops and just park there. In the eve they would fly back into loft. Occasionally a hawk would visit. When they would scatter, 2 or more never returned. I never seen a hawk get one, but who knows what happened out of sight. Eventually I was left with "0"
This is what I do every September 11.... In front of a Valley Forge Flag. 6 X 10 flying at half mast. Flag is retired at dusk.

I explained to my grandchildren the reason. They are small but they understood.
This is the reason I want just white pigeons. I am willing to release them for weddings. This would be for peeps that I know or someone in family or friends knows. I would do this of course no charge. I would feel honored to do it. I already have a cute lil cage that I can use for a memorable release by a newlywed couple. Holds 2 birds.
I would also offer the release to honor veterans being honored living or otherwise.
Here is a song I know from ages ago that inspired me. BTW my cage looks similar to the one in song.

 

[cavemanrich]

Found a pix of my cage..

 

[Hokum Coco]

Found a pix of my cage.

This is my cage.

 

[biophiliac]

Just got done cleaning out my pigeon loft it is -9ºC or 16ºF which ever you prefer.
These feed bags line my nest boxes just flexed them over the coop floor and installed them in the pigeon nest boxes. With a couple of these bulldog clips to hold them in place.
Lifted out my 8'x12' tarp and flexed that over next years tomato patch. Replaceryone's invited.ed it with tarp #2. I will hose tarp #1 off this spring of a few stubborn spots when it is time to repeat the process.

All done in less than an hour. EASY PEASY JAPANEASY.


View attachment 1237090 View attachment 1237087

We were at about 16 F here too. So far I have only one empty feed bag to work with. I do have some tent material that should work for tarps on the floor, cut to size.

Enjoyed your story very much @cavemanrich ! Feel free to share more here, everyone's invited to contribute.

Found out about this new pigeon magazine over at the pigeonbiz site,...
https://www.thecanadianpigeoninternational.com/gallery

 

[Hokum Coco]

tent material that should work for tarps on the floor, cut to size.

I think that would be excellent. Especially if it is that Old Canvas Material. I also use Crazy Carpets (Plastic used for sliding down hills in winter) also segments of vinyl flooring in my chicken coop for easy cleaning.

To be honest I find the"TARP METHOD BETTER" on the floor.
Easier to handle than the vinyl and plastic which is more ridged and tends to crack in cold weather.
I will replace the vinyl flooring with a tarp this spring in my coop.

 

[biophiliac]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurenstra...rescue-rangers?utm_term=.bnWWElRYM#.wa5bpDOad

 

[biophiliac]

Mary of Exeter, carrier pigeon, war hero,...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...med-Mary-latest-war-hero-win-blue-plaque.html

 

[cavemanrich]

@biophiliac
Did you sort out what you have??? Meaning, which are male and female.
Do you also know the approximate age? (info from the seller)
Are there any pairing up??? Often times two of same gender will pair up and stay friends. Other times , and most often with males, they will fight. Never encountered females fighting in my loft.
For your pigeons which are different color patterns, it is easier to remember. When I had all white color, it was slightly more difficult who was who. (at a quick glance) I placed blue and pink temporary bands on their other leg. Easy to put on and remove.
I always put on permanent bands at birth. Important for me was year. Since I did not race them, it was not all that necessary. Bands were discount stock from China that had year and a number. The number was not recorded anywhere, so if the pigeon was found by someone, it would not trace back to me , or any one else. If you are a member of a local pigeon club, then the club sells their bands and keeps track as who got which numbers.
I use 8MM size.
I try to get band on at 4 day old babies. Often times the mother will pull of band. Then next day I reinstall. When I waited to day 7 or 8, I was no longer able to slip on band. They grow FAST. Maybe I could have, but was worried that I could injure the toes. I know how to put on with the thumb pulled back and such. Maybe if I used some lubricant??? . At 4 days, I would help keep in place with some yarn. Maybe tape would also work. The athletic cloth backed tape would be best in my opinion. After a few days I removed yarn.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I use 8MM size.
I try to get band on at 4 day old babies.

Banding can be done at 8 days of age but it is a bit more tricky.

In this video a large array of pigeon lofts and plans are shown.
I was surprised to see that my loft was one of the entries.

My loft